Languages

LANGUAGES

Gateways to Culture 

In the Lower School, languages are taught as gateways to different cultures, beliefs, and traditions. Students explore Latin (which grounds them in classical antiquity) and French (which connects them both to Europe today and to the treasures of Western literature). By studying these together, students gain insight into how Latin shaped French, English, and the broader Western canon. 

FRENCH

French at MLCA begins in kindergarten with conversation, songs, and stories. As students advance, they study grammar, literature, and poetry, moving from adapted classics to original works by authors such as Molière, Maupassant, and Zola. Beginning in 4th grade, students also prepare for and take the international French DELF exam. 

Lower School French Curriculum

Upper School French Curriculum 

LATIN

Students begin Latin in fourth grade, building a strong foundation in grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Through the study of Latin, they encounter the unique Roman worldview—its concepts of time, space, gender, and more—while developing a deeper appreciation for the roots of Western culture. By seventh grade, students read authentic Roman prose and poetry, and from sixth grade on, all participate annually in the National Latin Exam. 

Lower School Latin Curriculum

Upper School Latin Curriculum